Arsenal favourite Freddie Ljungberg is in line to take up a coaching role with the club’s Under-18 side.
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has been studying for his coaching badges over the last few years and to aid his development he was with his former club, passing his knowledge on to the youngsters.
However, things turned sour in July when Arsenal offered Henry the role of coaching in the the U18 set-up, but also asked him to abandon his work with Sky as a pundit ahead of the new season.
The former France international was not open to that and has since opted to look elsewhere for a coaching role – whilst remaining with Sky – and that has paved the way for Ljungberg to move in.
The Times reveals that whilst Ljungberg has yet to be offered the job at Arsenal, the former Sweden international has emerged as the top candidate to assist Kwame Ampadu as coach of the U18s.
Ljungberg is regarded as one of Arsenal’s finest ever players and was part of the famous ‘Invincibles’ team that won the Premier League in 2004 without losing a single game all season.
Ljungberg joined Wenger’s side back in 1998 and spent nine years with the club, before leaving to join West Ham United in 2007.
The former attacking midfielder – who made 328 appearances for the Gunners during his time there – won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups during his time in north London, before retiring in 2012.
Ljungberg – who was already at Arsenal coaching with the U15s since the turn of the year – returned to the game for a short stint playing in India with Mumbai FC, before then focusing on his badges.
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